Automatic kinetoscope.



A. MEHLFELDER. AUTOMATIC KINETOSCOPE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-26,1914

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Patented May16, 1916.

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AUTOMATIC KINETOSCOPE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.26 I914.

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AUTOMATIC KINETOSCOPE.

APPLICATION man mmze, 1914.

Patented May16, 1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANTON MEHLFELDER, or NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOIR, BY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'ro HERMAN REHER, 0E NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC KINETOSCOPE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

Application filed January 26, 1914. Serial No. 814,330.

To all "whom it may concern Be it known that I, ANTON MEHLFELDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Kinetoscopes, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description.

This invention relates to a motion picture device containing the following features: means for self threading, that is to say, means to cause the film to automatically position itself with respect to the various sprockets, together with an automatically operable pressure plate controlled by the film to keep the film flat against the orifice plate.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation, looking from the operators side. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the front plate, and elements carried thereby. Fig. 3 is a side view thereof showing the film guides for self threading. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View, the section being taken on a line 1313 in Fig. 2. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are detail views taken on lines 14, 1415, 15 and 16, 1.6 respectively, in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional View, the section being taken on a line 2121 in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a sec tional plan view thereof, the section being taken on a line 2222 in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional detail view, the section being taken on a line 2323 in Fig. 4.

The box 4 (see Fig. 4) carries the sprockets and operating mechanism for the film. The film, which is carried by the upper reel, is passed through the opening 9 in the box 4, and inserted between the idler 10 and guard 11. The film is then forced downwardly between the idler 12 and curved wall 13 adjacent thereto until the perforations therein engage the teeth of the sprocket 14. After the film has engaged the sprocket 14 the operating handle 15 will be turned, and through suitable gearing, to be described, all of the sprockets 16. 17 18, and 19 will be simultaneously operated, causing the film to pass downwardly through the machine in front of the plate 20, carrying the opening or orifice 21, which alines with the lens 22, which in turn is alined with the lamp mechanism 23 Fig. 1). To cause the film to automatically thread when the said handle 15 is turned I provide a suitable guide or deflector adjacent each sprocket,

the said deflector, being indicated by 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28, as well as idle pulleys 29, 30 and 31, the idle pulley 31 being mov ably mounted for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. In connection with the de- After the film has engaged the teeth of the sprocket 14, and the handle 15 is turned, the film will move downwardly between the curved wall 32 and idler 29, finally engaging the teeth of the sprocket 16.

The deflector 25, adjacent the sprocket 16, will guide the film into the loop-box 34, which in turn will guide the advancing film through the auxiliary feed roller 35 and eccentric roller 36, there being a guiding horn 37 between the rollers 35 and 36,which'causes the film to pass between said rollers 35 and 36. When the film passes over the roller 36 it will strike the deflector 38 and pass downwardly between the stationary plate 21 and presser plate 39, and will finally engage the sprocket 17, and be guided into the lower loop-box 40 by means of the deflector 26. After passing around or through the loop-box 40 the film will engage the sprocket 18, thence pass downwardly and engage the sprocket 19. The sprocket 19 will force the film down between the movable idler 31 and curved wall 41, and between the idlers 42 and 43 to the lower or take-up reel in the casing 4. The above de scribed construction causes the film to automatically thread after it has been passed manually, between the guard 11, pulley 10 and pulley 12, and curved wall 13.

A further feature of the device consists of the presser plate 39 which acts to keep the film in contact with the orifice plate 20. The presser plate 39 is carried by a block 64, slidably fitted in an opening 65. the block being carried by arms 66 pivoted at 67 on the plate 51. The block 64. and consequently the presser plate 39, is forced inwardly, to press the film against the plate 20, by gravity, that is to say, by a weighted arm 68 mounted on the hub 69 of the frame for the block 64. The presser plate is held away from the plate 20 by a vertically movable rod 70 which, at its lower end, rests upon the frame arm 54; hence when the machine is Without a film the frame 54 is swung upthe opening or space 71, and between thelower movable roller 31 and guide 41, thence to the take-up reel. When the film is drawn taut, at the point A, the roller 31 will be forced backwardly. This movement on the part of the frame 5% will cause the rod 70 to drop, hence the presser plate 89 will be moved inwardly by the weighted arm 68 and press the film against the plate 39. The weighted arm 68 will exert enough force to keep the film flat against the plate 20, but will not impede its progress.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a kinetoscope a film guide and means to hold it against the film in combination with means to determine its pressure against said film controlled by the film itself.

2. In a kinetoscope a film guide and means to hold it against the film in combination with means to determine its pressure against said film controlled by the film itself, after it has passed through said guide.

3. In a kinetoscope, a film threading mechanism in combination with film guides having a space between them greater than the thickness of the film and means controlled by the film to increase or decrease said space.

4:. The herein described moving picture machine consisting of at least a pair of feed rolls, means for operating the same to form a loop of film between such rollers, a guiding cage between the rollers to direct the film from one roller to the other, in combination with pressure guides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the feeding operation of the film to vary the distance between the guides around and in the focal axis.

5. The herein described moving picture machine consisting of feed rolls, an aperture in the focal axis, guides around the focal axis and said. aperture in combination with a mechanism automatically operated by the feeding of the film and by the film to vary the distance between the guide and said that it may curve around the cage, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

7. The herein described moving picture machine consisting of at least a pair of feed rolls, and means for operating the same to form a loop of film between such rollers and a guiding cage between the rollers to direct the film from one roller to the other, and a projection into the said cage between said rollers adapted to throw the film upward, that it may curve around the cage, a wide mouth guiding means on each side of the line of film as it approaches the second roll from the cage, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

8. In a moving picture machine, having at least a pair of loop forming rolls, a guide means adapted to present the film to the first roll, that it may be engaged thereby, a cage adapted to guide the free end of the film on its interior surface as it passes from the first roll, a guide means to direct the free end of the film from the cage to the second roll, as and for the purpose described, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

The herein described moving picture machine consisting of at least a pair of feed rolls, and means for operating the same to form a loop of film between such rollers and a guiding cage between the rollers to direct the film from one roller to the other, in combination with a second pair of rolls, guides between the first pair and the second pair for the free end of the film, and a guide cage between the two rolls of the second pair. in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

10. The herein described moving picture machine consisting of at least a pair of feed rolls, and means for operating the same. to form a loop of film between such rollers and a guiding cage between the rollers to direct the film from one roller to the other, in

combination with vertical guides for the film as it approaches the first roller, in combination with a second pair of rolls, guides between the first pair and the second pair for the free end of the film, and a guide cage between the two rolls of the second pair. in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

11. The herein described moving picture machine consisting of at least a pair of feed rolls, and means for operating the same to form a loop of film between such rollers and a guiding cage between the rollers to direct the film from one roller to the other, and a projection into the said cage between said rollers adapted to throw the film upward, that it may curve around the cage, in combination with a second pair of rolls, guides between the first pair and the second pair for the free end of the film, and a guide cage between the two rolls of the second pair, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

12. The herein described moving picture machine consisting of at least a pair of feed rolls, and means for operating the same to form a loop of film between such rollers and a guiding cage between the rollers to direct the film from one roller to the other, and a projection into the said cage between said rollers adapted to throw the film upward, that it may curve around the cage, a wide mouth guiding means on each side of the line of film as it approaches the second roll from the cage, in combination with a second pair of rolls, guides between the first pair and the second pair for the free end of the film, and a guide cage between the two rolls of the second pair, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary its distance of passage between said guide slides.

13. In a moving picture machine, having at least a pair of loop forming rolls, a guide means adapted to present the film to the first roll, that it may be engaged thereby, a cage adapted to guide the free end of the film on its interior surface as it passes from the first roll, a guide means to direct the free end of the film from the cage to the second roll. as and for the purpose described, in combination with a second pair of rolls. guides between the first pair and the second pair for the free end of the film, and a guide cage between the two rolls of the second pair, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

14. In a moving picture machine. the combination of central guides, a pair of loop forming rolls above said guides, a pair of loop forming rolls below said guides. and means for guiding a strip of film after it is once presented to the first roller automatically through the machine by the mere operation of the rolls. in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

15. In a moving picture machine, the combination of central guides, a pair of loop forming rolls above said guides, a pair of loop forming rolls below said guides, and means for guiding a strip of film after it is once presented to the first roller automatically through the machine by the mere operation of the rolls, such means consisting in part of loop forming and direct-cages between each set of loop forming rolls, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

16. In a moving picture machine, a tooth roller, a roller below the same, guides for the film to the tooth roller, an interiorly curved guide cage between the two rollers adapted to deliver a film engaged by the tooth roller after the formation of a loop to the second roller, in combination with guides from the second roller for the film and a second pair of rollers with a similar guide cage between the same, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

17. In a moving picture machine, a feed roller adapted to engage the film, in combination with a guide means adapted to automatically form a loop out of the advancing film, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

18. In a. moving picture machine, a feed roller adapted to engage the film, in combination with a guide means adapted to automatically form a loop out of the advancing film, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

19. In a moving picture machine, intermittent motion mechanism, a feed roller adapted to engage the film in combination with a guide means adapted to automatically form a loop out of the advancing film, in combination with additional guides to the intermittent motion mechanism, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

20. In a moving picture machine. intermittent motion mechanism, a feed roller adapted to engage the film, in combination with a guide means adapted to automatically form a loop out of the advancing film, in combination With additional guides to the intermittent motion, and an automatic loop forming guide between the intermittent motion and its corresponding feed roll, in combination with guide slides past the focal axis and mechanism automatically operated by the operation of feeding the film to vary the distance of passage between said guide slides.

21. In a kinetoscope a set of film threading guides and rollers through the machine, opposed film guides and rollers all removable from the first set, both sets When in proximity providing a channel through the machine for the film.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner or Patents.

22. In a kinetoscope a set of film threading guides and rollers through the machine, opposed film guides and rollers all removable from the first set, both sets When in proximity providing a channel through the machine for the film, in combination With independent means to vary the distance between the guides past the focal axis.

Signed at New York city, New York, this 15th day of January, in the year one thousand nine hundred and fourteen.

ANTON MEHLFELDER.

In presence of E. H. MoCoLLooH, MICHAEL SEGEL.

Washington, D. G. 

